O-H!...Oh No!...The ongoing saga of Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik and the Middleweight Crown

November 10, 11:02 PMColumbus Boxing ExaminerSamuel Rossi

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Columbus Boxing Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

In this Jan. 13, 2009, file photo, middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik speaks to the media during a press conference in New York. Pavlik will defend his titles next month against Miguel Espino, in Pavlik's first fight since February, 2009. Trainer Jack Loew tells The Associated Press that Pavlik signed the contract Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, for a Dec. 19 bout at the Beeghly Center at Youngstown State University in Pavlik's hometown. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik has agreed to a December 19 defense against Miguel Espino in front of a hometown crowd in Youngstown, Ohio. Espino, best known to fight fans as a participant on season one of "The Contender," is a far cry from the man Pavlik was scheduled to face on December 5. That man, of course, is former welterweight titlist, Paul "The Punisher" Williams. It wasn't all that long ago that news of a Pavlik title defense would work the Mahoning Valley into an immediate frenzy of pride and excitement, but the latest chapter in this ongoing saga has most of us saying little more than, "Say it ain't so, Kelly...Say it ain't so." 

Rarely does the Northeast Ohio wind carry with it pleasant sporting news. Usually local headlines are reserved for stories of the faltering Browns, the midsummer struggles of the Tribe, or a stalled playoff run by our beloved Cavaliers. However, there does tend to be a moment or two when a local athlete gives us reason to cheer once again. Two years ago, Kelly Pavlik was that reason.

Upon lifting the Middleweight Crown from Jermain Taylor in seven action-filled rounds, Pavlik catapulted himself up the pound-for-pound rankings and was dubbed by many ring observers as the future of our sport. After all, there was much to be optimistic about. The Ghost’s punch was uncharacteristically crisp with power and precision for a contemporary fighter at 160 pounds, and his modest, working-class roots was the epitome of what a pug should be.

But much has changed since that night in New Jersey 25 months ago. Despite winning the catch-weight rematch with Taylor, Pavlik has managed only two defenses at 160 against lackluster opposition, and most-notably suffered through a 12 round loss against all-time great Bernard Hopkins. Things appeared to be looking up when the Pavlik-Williams “Dream Match” was announced, but the ink on the contract had barely dried before word circulated that "The Ghost" was still plagued by a nagging staph infection.

Unfortunately, the issue here is much larger than Pavlik’s health. All should agree that if the Champ has a legitimate medical issue, then he should not fight. The real issue, however, is whether or not Kelly Pavlik should continue to have the privilege to be called “Champ.”

The Middleweight Championship, which Pavlik won deservedly and outright, is the most prestigious in the fistic arts when you consider how well it has maintained it’s lineage throughout the years. One can go down the list and link names such as Graziano, Robinson, LaMotta, Basilio, Monzon, Hagler, and Hopkins together despite the hodgepodge of issues associated with alphabet titles and corruption that have persisted through the years. High levels of activity and depth-of-talent allowed these fighters to lay claim to being legitimate title-holders. For Pavlik, two title defenses in two years against sub-par opposition does little to re-affirm him as one still deserving of the champion label.
 

Sometimes, in professional boxing, there comes a time when the King outgrows his throne. In the case of Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, it seems to be the throne that has outgrown the King.

Most disheartening is that the Youngstown Vindicator reported earlier this morning that the sanctioning bodies had threatened to strip Pavlik of his belts if he failed to defend next month. It truly is a shame that things have come to this, and far be it from me to praise WBC President Jose Sulaiman on a regular basis, but in this case - Sulaiman deserves credit for doing the right thing. At a time when boxing is in a constant struggle to keep its fanbase, the last thing we need is another absentee champion.

I hope Kelly Pavlik does two things in preparing for the Espino fight. The first is to get healthy and regain his focus. Even though he won't be standing toe-to-toe with a man as dangerous as Paul Williams on the 19th, we all know that boxing is a violent vocation and that no opponent should ever be taken too lightly. Next, and most vital, is that the Middleweight Champion should think long and hard as to whether it's worth it any longer. If it's worth the hours of roadwork and sparring, and if it's worth all the pain and sweat and punishment inside the gym.

Two years ago, Kelly Pavlik earned the right to be called a champion. Maybe he should just leave it at that.